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NCJ Number:

203955

Title:

Quality of Life as Perceived by Sex Offenders on Early Release in a Halfway House: Implications for Treatment

This study examined quality-of-life perceptions of a sample of
sex offenders and discusses the implications of the findings for
the therapeutic process.

Abstract:

From an offender rehabilitation perspective, quality of life
(QOL) is closely connected to the "most important things" in
life, such as relationships with family and loved ones, adequate
money, job satisfaction, health, education, and freedom. A
criminal lifestyle tends to limit progression in these areas,
thus restricting personal QOL. Due to the psychological defense
mechanisms and thinking errors associated with criminal behavior,
many offenders may not consider QOL issues. The rationale for QOL
promotion within offender rehabilitation is based primarily in
professional ethics and values, which overlap with common themes
of restorative justice, such as reparation, forgiveness,
inclusion, healing, and wellness. The purposes of the current
study were to learn about how offenders view QOL, how they rate
their QOL within the correctional setting, and how these findings
may be used to improve rehabilitation efforts. Participants were
23 sex offenders who were released from jail or prison to attend
treatment at a community correctional center. As part of the
study, the Quality of Life Questionnaire (Greenley, Greenberg,
and Brown, 1997) was administered to help determine how offenders
rated their QOL. Questions focused on what the offenders wanted
from life, the kind of person they wanted to be, and what they
wanted to achieve in their lifetime. The findings suggest that
the offenders' perceptions of QOL are related primarily to
freedom, interpersonal relationships (primarily with family), and
positive emotions. Leisure opportunities, job/career success,
health, and education were also reported as being important.
Participants rated personal QOL better in a community
correctional center than in jail or prison; however, a large
majority were apparently apathetic to or dissatisfied with their
current QOL. Further, they doubted that their QOL could improve
anytime soon. Those practitioners involved in offender
rehabilitation could help offenders focus on doing a few "small
things" that lead to initial QOL improvements, or by working to
improve QOL in only one particular area. By building an alliance
based on common QOL values, practitioners may help offenders
engage in therapy more quickly, promote behaviors consistent with
a healthy lifestyle, and achieve success in offender
rehabilitation. 30 references and 6 tables

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